Kaja Kallas, the senior diplomat of the European Union, announced the interest of two countries in sending a ship to counter Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Kallas mentioned in a meeting held to discuss maritime security in Brussels that there is a need for more resources for the EU's maritime operation known as Operation Aspida.
Security Challenges and the Need to Strengthen Resources
Kallas stated that the increasing Houthi attacks have impacted Operation Aspida, declaring: "We need more ships because there are currently many commercial vessels waiting for escort, and we do not have enough frigates to carry this out." She also noted that the two countries mentioned the possibility of sending a ship to assist this operation in a recent meeting, but did not disclose their names.
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This interest in strengthening Operation Aspida indicates a shift in the attitude of EU countries towards this mission. France has recently sent an additional frigate to this operation and has called on other countries to cooperate in this regard. However, the willingness to participate more in crises related to the Iran war remains low.
Security Concerns and Energy Dependence
Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia's energy infrastructure have raised major concerns for Europe. These attacks, especially following Houthi advances in Yemen, have created new worries about negative impacts on fuel supply. France has also announced that it will send forces and radar systems to the region, and the UK has provided aircraft to support the operation.
However, EU countries have so far refrained from strengthening Operation Aspida. Kallas suggested on Monday that these countries could use resources that had previously been committed to a potential mission in the Strait of Hormuz. She said: "Many ships have been proposed to this coalition, which is currently not operational." This coalition was formed last April by European powers such as France and the UK to help protect maritime routes in Hormuz.
Houthi attacks have reignited the discussion about maritime security in the EU. It seems that sending a ship to the Red Sea would be more appealing to EU member states, especially since Operation Aspida is active in this region and has a mandate to counter Houthi threats. The presence of ships in the Red Sea could also help Europe avoid direct confrontation with Iran.
Kallas has invited other countries to allocate more resources to Operation Aspida, which began in 2024 and mainly includes three ships from Italy and Greece. She emphasized that at the time of establishing this mission, at least 10 ships were needed for it, but most countries have not acted quickly to help achieve this goal.
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